Our Volunteers

I’m Steve McLaughlin and I knew Andrew before his accident. When he started Triumph Foundation, I learned about his plan of an Adaptive Recreational Program to help others dealing with spinal cord injury and paralysis. We started the program with only two handcycles, assembling them in our backyard in Santa Clarita. Since our first clinic my wife Traci, joined us and it was a life changing experience for both of us. When I saw the look of pure joy on a participants face for the first time as he was able to ride a bike again, it was an exceptional moment and I knew this is where my heart was. Now, we have developed a program that is all inclusive and we hold monthly clinics in various locations throughout Southern California. The dream that started with only two handcycles is now a fleet of different types of adaptive bikes. There is always one newly injured person who attends each clinic and is riding a bike for the first time since their injury bringing me back to the reason why I am so grateful to participate with Triumph Foundation.

At just about every Triumph event you will find Traci McLaughlin and her husband Steve helping to make it all possible. Traci has been a part of Triumph from an early start, knowing Andrew from a young age. She is an integral part of Triumph’s cycling program; taking names and making sure everyone gets a chance to participate. She loves being a grandma, and the Triumph family would not be complete without her.

I met Triumph in March 2018 after my good friend, Edie Perkins had a bicycle accident. The Triumph ambassadors, including Andrew and Walter, came to a bicycle shop in Santa Monica to help fundraise and support Edie in her recovery. I was moved by the stories and the commitment to helping people recover from their injuries. I have enjoyed volunteering because of the people. The warmth and spirit of the Triumph family is clear from the top, through every volunteer, extending down to the participants at an event. With my background with bicycles, I have been fortunate to work with the handcycling team to introduce handcycling to new participants. The time it takes to transfer and set up a handcycle for each rider quickly disappears when you see them smiling from ear to ear from that first turn of the cranks. Sometimes we have to chase them down to get them to give someone else a turn on the handcycle. That joy is why I personally ride bikes and being able to help others experience that feeling is golden.

I got involved with Triumph during my spring semester at Cal State University Northridge in 2018 as one of their student interns. It’s meaningful and feels so good when you help someone out of a rut. Many of the participants would tell me they finally feel like they’re living life now after coming to these events. It’s important to help others at their lowest so that they can thrive and fulfill new dreams. I love the energy and seeing the look on the participants faces when they’re having fun at our events. I love working with my Triumph Family because it’s never a dull moment.

I become involved with Triumph Foundation when my friend Traci, who is a volunteer for Triumph, asked me to bake some things for a bake sale. Things just escalated from there. I love helping others, and as I have a quadriplegic brother it was a natural fit. I love my Triumph family.

When you love a family that has been dear friends for years, you’re involved in whatever they go through, not because you’re friends but, because you love.  While in the beginning of Triumph Foundation’s existence, my husband and I participated in Triumph’s fundraising events.  The events were always a wonderful time and the people we that met were equally wonderful!  I easily got drawn into the giving of my time and efforts and that began with the Christmas Care Basket Outreach in 2014.  From there, as they say, the rest is history!  Volunteering for Triumph Foundation has birthed this quote in my heart and soul…“Your riches are not based on what you carry in your pocket but solely by what it is that you choose to embrace in your heart”.  I have been richly blessed, more than (I believe) that I have blessed by giving.  I’m so thankful to always be given the opportunity to be a part of the Triumph Foundation Family.

Ray owns a successful Real Estate Property Management company for over 30 years. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has six grown children. He started volunteering after meeting Andrew at their Church.

When asked what he’d say to encourage other to get involved, Ray said “It is truly a heartwarming experience, challenging, and lifetime new friends. Also, lots of love and sharing.”

Ray went on to say, “Helping others, playing sports (mainly basketball) and of course Triumph Foundation”, bring him joy.

Robert Gerace has been a Triumph Foundation volunteer for over 5 years.  From the beginning, he felt a strong connection with Andrew, the Triumph volunteers, and the members of the Triumph community.  As a representative of the Ability Center team, Robert has always been a strong advocate for the entire community he serves.  Robert spearheaded the Kid’s Club event offered during the yearly Triumph Wheelchair Festival.  Using his experience as a youth Sunday School teacher and his natural humor, Robert helped create an exclusive event for the Triumph kids.

When asked for his most unforgettable Triumph memory, Robert said “I would have to say my most memorable moment with Triumph was the initial roll out of the Wheelchair Festival Kid’s Club.  Watching the excitement of the kids as they reveled in their special event brought so much joy to my heart.”

Robert went on to say, “The Triumph Foundation is a group of unique people who I proudly call my friends and family.  Volunteering is such a blessing, being able to volunteer with the wonderful group of individuals at Triumph is an honor.  If you are not volunteering, START!!!  There is no greater joy.”

I got involved with Triumph when I was a student at Cal State University Northridge. >My mindset going into volunteering was I just needed 20 hours for school and that is it. However, after that first day of the Wheelchair Sports Festival I found that it meant so much more to me. It does not feel like volunteering. I was welcomed into a community of great people doing great work and having a great time. I hope to take part in Triumph events as much and as long as I can. 

My name is Luz Yadira Perez, I first started helping my friend Michele, a Triumph Ambassador, with the centerpieces for Triumph’s 2017 Casino Night and got to tag along. Once I attended that event, I fell in love with the organization and they can’t get rid of me now!! I just love volunteering and helping Triumph Foundation, it feels good to my heart!

I am a master’s student in Adapted Physical Activity at Cal State University Northridge (CSUN), and I got involved with Triumph when they joined up with CSUN for the Valley Go Hand Cycling program. I love helping where I can and seeing people enjoy themselves. It brings a smile to my face when I see people after a ride and they just had a great time. I really enjoy people working hard and trying their hardest to improve their quality of life through these hand cycling events, kayaking, sports festivals, rugby, basketball, you name it! The small amount that I can contribute to help at these events; whether it’s transfers, setting up, tearing down, it’s for a great cause and I am happy to help.